A Sandwich a Day: Crab Cake Sandwich at Duda's Tavern in Baltimore

In this great country of ours, one could eat a different sandwich every day of the year--so that's what we'll do. Here's A Sandwich a Day, our daily look at sandwiches around the country. Got a sandwich we should check out? Let us know. --The Mgmt.

[Photograph: Krista Garcia]

Just as you'll never come to a consensus on the best NYC slice or Philly cheesesteak, there isn't a unanimous Baltimore crab cake winner either. Duda's Tavern, a slightly divey bar in less-than-divey Fells Point, serves a pretty exemplar rendition, though.

It might not be the biggest cake in town—even with near softball-sized girth—but there's also not a lot of filler. Binding agents, breadcrumbs and egg, take a backseat to the chunks of sweet lump crab meat. Served on a bun with tomato and lettuce, and tartar or cocktail sauce on the side, the golden, rounded patty is clearly the main event. Market price ($15.95 on my visit) can fluctuate, but on Tuesdays, no matter what, crab cakes are half price.